Paper-file



.(No Model.) 4

E. A. SHARP.

PAPER FILE.

No. 554,500. Patented Feb. 11,1896.

AN unEw B GRAHAM. PHOTO-LITNQWASNIN GTDNJI C NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

EDWVARD A. SHARP, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS;

PAPER-FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,500, dated February 11, 1896. Application filed November 9, 1895. Serial No. 568,382. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. SHARP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper-Files, which are fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which Figure 1 shows a longitudinal mid-section of my said device in the plane of the file, or its books or folios, on the plane x mof Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows the device in end elevation in a closed condition.

Like letters of reference denote like parts.

The object of my invention is to improve the construction of paper-files which are closed and held in their closed position by means of a clasp or clasps which swing in the plane of the books or folios. To attain said desirable ends I construct my said new file in substantially the following manner-namely:

I make a sheet-metal back I), whereof the longitudinal edges are folded inward or upon the sides of the book. Then I turn the edge of said part outward and plait it, as shown, and to said back I then attach one or two folios aby means of staples i, which pass through the folios and back and are clinched on the face of the back, as shown. To said back I also attach a yielding or spring clasp e e h f by means of hinges 9, said clasp and its hinges being fastened to the back before the folios are attached. The ringed end h forms a smooth working end on the sides of the foliocovers, and the spiral e forms a spring which, with the yielding sides 6, allows considerable expansion to the increase of thickness as papers are added to the leaves a, and the arms f also yield at the hinges g, the material of which said clasp is made being of spring-brass or like material, the arm f and its side e approaching each other nearest at h, so as to give pressure upon the sides of each folio and thus always securely hold any papers which may be placed between the leaves of the folios.

Vhen the file is opened, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, the clasp is opened into the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1. To close the device it is onlynecessary to swing the clasp into its closed position, because this operation will move the leaves of the file with it and bring them into the closed position. The fullness of the file cannot prevent this operation, because the parts of the clasp will yield to the point Where breaking occurs without being able to prevent said action. Finally, when all the other parts are completed the backv c is put on the metal back 1) and its edges passed into the open crimps cl, which are then closed and thus hold the leather or other material forming said cover to the metal back.

What I claim is 1. The combination with the back, I), with transverse hinges, g, and folios secured to said back, of a clasp on said hinges, g, swinging in the plane of said folios and adapted to close said folios by its motion, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with the back, 6, with transverse hinges, g, and folios secured to said back, of a spring-clasp on said hinges, g, swinging in the plane of said folios, said clasp formed of the parts, a, e, f, substantially as specified.

EDWARD A. SHARP.

Witnesses WM. ZIMMERMAN, CHARLES G. SAcHsE. 

